Oberon Reformatory Book Three: Final Offense Page 5

  “Oh stop sucking up, Brooke. I’ve seen you braid your hair like that dozens of times.”

  Brooke bites her lip as she lowers her head, embarrassment coloring her face. I look back at Angelina, and I can’t help myself. Even though Brooke and Maisy are just as awful as she is, I can’t handle listening to her abuse for another minute.

  “Angelina,” I say, waiting for her to look at me. Then I lay my hand on her arm for good measure and infuse my words with Glamour. “You should be nicer to Brooke and Maisy. They’re your friends.”

  I release her, and she looks at the other girls with a small frown. She shakes her head, and I can tell her instincts are trying to fight the Glamour I used on her. But it’s no use. She can’t overcome my influence.

  “Sorry,” she mumbles to the girls. “I shouldn’t have talked to you that way.”

  “It’s…uh…okay?”

  Maisy’s voice rises at the end like she’s asking a question when she really isn’t. But when Angelina smiles in response, Maisy relaxes. So does Brooke. Like, for once, they don’t have to walk on eggshells around their blonde harridan of a leader.

  Lark catches my eye and shoots me a wide grin behind her hand. I narrow my eyes, and she laughs before turning her attention back to Robbie and the others. She thinks it’s hilarious that I’m stuck here, tolerating the presence of these girls who’ve thrived on torturing me up until this point. I guess if I were on the outside looking in, I’d think it’s funny, too.

  But I’m not. I’m right in the middle of it, and it sucks.

  But I have to do what I have to do. If making these Sylphs think I accept them will make them follow me as a leader, I can deal with it for a few weeks. Shutting Oberon Reformatory down and freeing all these falsely-convicted faeries is worth it. Making my great-grandfather proud didn’t hurt, either.

  As I try my best to grin and bear it, a couple of guys walk up and stand in front of me. I look up at them, taking in their dark, Zephyr features, and one of them gives me a flirtatious smile.

  “Hey, Rory. How’s it going?” he asks, his voice deep and husky.

  “I’m good, uh…”

  “Edward,” he supplies. “And this is Kellen.”

  I give his friend a nod, then look back at Edward expectantly. I’ve seen them around, and I remember them taking some of my Glamoured treats, so I assume they’re here to get closer to me in some way. I have to fight to keep my eyes from rolling. This is going to get old. Fast.

  “That power blast you created in training class was amazing,” Kellen says when his friend just stares at me with wide black eyes.

  “Thank you,” I reply, my eyes darting back and forth between them.

  “We’ve been watching you,” Edward adds, “and we think you’re gorgeous…for a Sylph.”

  “Uh, thanks?” I offer, my eyes inadvertently darting toward Asher.

  His eyes blaze with blue fire as he stares at the boys before me, and I can see Lark’s hand on his arm in an effort to restrain him. He glances from Edward and Kellen to me, and I give him a slight shake of the head before turning my attention back to the Zephyrs.

  “Was there something else?” I ask.

  “Yeah,” Edward says, his voice deepening further. “We wanted to know if you’d like to go somewhere a little more…private.”

  “Ha!” Angelina cuts in. I’m surprised she’s held her tongue for this long. “As if.”

  The boys both straighten, standing taller as they glare down at her. I do not need some Sylph-Zephyr feud breaking out right now, so I jump in before they can retaliate to her words and harsh tone.

  “Sorry, boys,” I say, giving my best effort at sounding nonchalant, “but I’m not interested in,” I pause to waggle a finger between them, “whatever it is that you’re offering. But thanks, anyway.”

  “Maybe she only likes mutts,” Edward said, looking at Kellen, who smirks.

  I’m on my feet before my brain can catch up to my intentions. My hair ruffles as the air around me shifts, responding to my unconscious call. Anger clouds my vision and my mind as my hands ball into fists at my sides.

  “Apologize,” I grit out between clenched teeth.

  “For what? Your despicable taste in men?” Edward shoots back, casting a quick glance across the room toward Asher.

  I don’t look because I already know what I’d see. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Lark had Asher in a headlock to keep him from charging over here. Edward had not spoken his hateful words quietly. Everyone had heard them, and silence reigns as the inmates of Oberon Reformatory wait to see what I’ll do.

  “Apologize to me for your insulting tone,” I say, infusing the tiniest bit of Glamour in my words.

  “I’m sorry,” they mumble in unison, their faces turning pink.

  “Now, apologize to Asher York and every other hybrid in this place for using that hateful term.”

  Kellen calls out an apology, but I can see Edward trying to fight it. His face darkens with the effort, his lips pressed tightly together. I arch one eyebrow and tap my foot, waiting. A harsh breath erupts from Edward’s mouth before he apologizes, as well.

  “I will not be disrespected,” I say, my voice loud and clear. “I want what is best for all of us, and my decisions will always be for the greater good. That being said, I must insist that you all band together—Sylphs, Zephyrs, and hybrids—to form a united front. We are all better together. Never forget that.”

  I reclaim my seat, and the boys each shoot me a sheepish look before slinking away. The noise level eventually ramps back up, and I stare at the floor as my mind sifts through my unbidden words. I hadn’t meant to say all of that, but once rethinking it, I realize that I’m okay.

  My declaration sets a groundwork for our eventual revolt against Echo Oberon, but if he hears about it, he’ll think I was acting under his wishes to become the leader of all the inmates. Infighting won’t win a war—neither ours nor Echo’s.

  At least my little speech shut Angelina up. She sits in silence, staring at her hands. I imagine her mind is whirring, trying to reconcile my magically enhanced suggestions with her long-time hatred of any Fae that aren’t like her. Several long moments pass before she looks up and offers me a tentative smile.

  I smile back, hoping it looks sincere. Then I stand up.

  “I’ll see you guys later. I think I’m going to head back to my cell to rest.”

  They sing out a chorus of goodbyes, and I wave before spinning around and striding from the common room. I make it back to my room unbothered, but as soon as I stretch out on my bed, there’s a light tap on the door. As I look up, the door cracks open and my sister’s blonde head pokes through.

  “Hey, Rory,” she says, smirking at the use of my fake name. “Mind if I come in?”

  “Sure. Come on in, April,” I reply.

  She slips inside and closes the door behind her, throwing up a quick privacy shield. She rushes over and stretches out beside me on the narrow mattress. Taking my hand in hers, she squeezes it lightly.

  “You okay?” she asks, keeping her voice low despite the shield she put up.

  “Not really,” I respond, “but I’ll survive.”

  “It’s unbelievable, isn’t it? After all the work Mom and Dad have put in to unite the Fae, they still hold on to archaic prejudices. The only thing the Sylphs and the Zephyrs agree on is that hybrids are below them both.”

  “I know,” I say. “I was shocked, too, when I first got here. Mom and Dad kept us pretty sheltered, I guess.”

  “Because they love us, and they want us to lead happy, fulfilling lives,” she adds.

  “Yeah,” I breathe. “Do you think they’ll ever forgive me?”

  “For lying and running away, killing a human, and letting yourself be locked up in faery prison when they could’ve gotten you out of it before you even set foot in this place?” she asks. I shoot her a dirty look, and she smiles. “Of course, they will. They love you. But Sawyer is another matter.”

  I flinch, thinking of my personal guard and supposed chaperone for my European tour. I’d Glamoured him to think I’d travelled to Europe with him, and he was probably still there, walking around by himself while talking to what he thinks is me. Oh, he’s going to be pissed, for sure.

  “God, what I wouldn’t give to see old Sawyer holding a conversation with no one at some French bistro in Paris,” Robbie says with a giggle.

  “It’s not funny,” I say, trying and failing to keep my own laughter bottled up.

  “Oh, yes it is,” she argues, a snort coming out with her own laughter. “Imagine it. Sawyer walking into a pub in London, ordering two drinks, and then expounding on British Fae History while everyone looks at him like he’s cuckoo.”

  “Oh, God, Robbie. Stop,” I laugh, tears pouring from my eyes.

  “It’s April,” she corrects me, but keeps her smile. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you, too. I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you the truth. I just didn’t want you to have to lie to Mom and Dad.”

  “I get it,” she says honestly. “Besides, Dad’s ability to see auras would guarantee he’d see through any lie I told. How did you get around it?”

  “I don’t know, exactly,” I say. “I think I was so angry, all he could see was red.”

  “So, it seems you have a good handle on converting all these criminals into loyal followers,” she teases, changing the subject. “What comes next?”

  “I don’t know,” I admit. “My plan is to just keep trekking down the path I’m on. Until Echo fully trusts me and tells me his plan, there’s not much else I can do.”

  “He’ll tell you,” she says, the confidence in her tone unwavering. “If anyone can pull this off, it’s you.”

  “Thanks, April,
” I say, grinning.

  “Any time, Rory. I’ve got your back. Always.”

  Chapter Eight

  “Give me everything that you’ve got.”

  The weekend is over, and I’m back to working one-on-one with Echo in his private training room. If he heard about my little show in the gym or my verbal altercation in the common room, he’s keeping it to himself. As soon as I arrived, we dived right into throwing around the elements, with him giving the orders and me carrying those orders out.

  I stare at him for a moment, trying to decide exactly how much to give him. I can’t give him everything. I need to keep the full force of my power under wraps to give me an edge when this whole plan to take him down reaches its climax.

  But I also need to keep him intrigued. Make him think that his tutoring sessions are improving my skill on the magical front, as well as the physical one. It’s a fine line I walk, and I have to be careful not to tilt too far to either side.

  Pulling on my power, I send a blast of wind toward him. I pump more energy into it, increasing the speed and force until I see his head turn away from the impact. As soon as his eyes are off me, I rush toward him while calling to fire. The wind I’m creating feeds the flames, and I send them toward Echo with a flick of my wrist.

  The flames shoot out like a bullwhip, striking him in the chest with a loud crack that hurts my ears. Echo is thrown back by the force of it, landing on his back and sliding across the floor. I skid to a halt, quickly releasing the elements as I stare at him with wide eyes.

  Oh, crap. He’s going to punish me for this.

  I open my mouth to ask if he’s okay, but my words die in my throat as he barks out a laugh. He’s still lying on his back, staring at the ceiling as peals of laughter ring from him. The sound is manic, and I wonder briefly if my attack addled his brain.

  Pushing himself up into a seated position, he locks eyes with me and smiles. His eyes gleam with calculation as they rove up and down my body before locking with mine.

  “That, my dear, was amazing,” he says, climbing to his feet. “I think you are almost ready.”

  “Thank you, sir,” I say, lowering my eyes to the floor.

  I can’t believe I got the drop on him and he’s not angry about it. He sounds almost…proud of me. His response evokes a bunch of conflicting emotions inside me, and I keep my eyes downcast so he won’t see the more negative ones. Better he think I’m embarrassed by his praise than disgusted that I did something he approves of. I quickly push away the sick feeling in my stomach.

  I’m doing what I need to do to bring Echo down, stop whatever grand, master plan he has brewing, and get myself and everyone else who’s unfairly locked up in this place out of here. I lift my gaze and look right into his eyes.

  His smile grows, and he gives me a nod. “Let’s go again.”

  We practice for another hour, but he’s not as careless and never takes his eyes off me again. I’m not able to knock him down like before, but I do manage to push him back a few times. When we finish it up and he dismisses me, he seems content with my performance.

  As walk back to my cell, I can’t contain my own smile. I can’t wait to see the look on Echo’s face when this whole thing is over and he sees the true extent of my abilities. I’m going to do a lot more than knock him on his butt.

  I’m going to knock him off his throne and bring this whole place tumbling to the ground.

  As I near the cell block, I decide I don’t want to be in my room alone. Looking up, I put feelers out for any Glamour that may be hiding Echo’s spy cameras. Finding none, I take a quick right and head for Lark’s room. I could really use a little bestie time.

  Her door is only cracked open, and I hear voices inside, so I press my palm against the metal and push. “Hey, Lark?” I call out as I step over the threshold.

  A flurry of movement on the bed catches my my eye, and dread fills me as I realize I’ve walked in on Lark in a private moment. I spin around, calling out a few apologies as I move to leave. My face is burning hot with embarrassment and shame.

  I had no idea my best friend had become involved with another inmate. I’ve been so busy, so wrapped up in my own problems, and Lark obviously felt like she couldn’t tell me about…whoever it is in her bed with her.

  “Rory, wait,” Lark calls out, and I freeze in the doorway. “Come back,” she says, hushing a whispered protest from whoever is with her.

  I take a deep breath, push the door closed, and turn, my mouth falling open as shock courses through me.

  “Robbie?” I ask, but the word comes out as a choked whisper.

  My sister is blushing furiously, and I feel the need to look away, if only to spare her the embarrassment she’s obviously feeling. My eyes travel down to her lap. Where she clutches one of Lark’s hands so tightly, her knuckles are white.

  “We wanted to tell you,” Lark says, her voice soft and soothing like she’s speaking to a stray animal, “but you’ve got so much going on already. We were waiting for a better time.”

  “A better time?” I ask, my gaze flicking up to meet hers before moving back to Robbie’s red face. My sister gives me a small nod, backing up Lark’s explanation.

  It’s a valid excuse, a truth that cannot be denied. But the problem is, I know my sister. She knows I’m never too busy for her, no matter what. That’s why she’s here in the first place—she knew I would never ignore her. That, no matter how angry or busy I am, I would always make time for her. My eyes start stinging as sadness washes through me.

  “You thought you couldn’t tell me?” I ask, and Robbie’s face fills with anguish.

  “Finley, I…”

  She trails off, no words coming. The sadness inside me intensifies as I realize I’m right. She thought she couldn’t talk to me, and I’ve been so busy, I missed it.

  Tilting my head, I stared at them sitting side-by-side on Lark’s bed, holding hands. I realize I didn’t miss it. Not completely. I had noticed them growing closer.

  And I’d been jealous. Like I was losing my best friend to my sister.

  I just never imagined it was romantic.

  “I’m sorry if I made you feel like you couldn’t be honest with me,” I say, meeting Robbie’s eyes before looking into Lark’s. “Both of you mean the world to me, and if you don’t know that, then I’ve failed as a friend.” I look back at Robbie. “And a sister.”

  “Rory,” Lark says, her voice pleading.

  I watch her as she scoots off the bed to stand in front of me. Taking my hands, she squeezes them tight.

  “You’re being kind of selfish right now,” she says softly, and my head flies back as if she’d struck me.

  “Selfish?” I ask, incredulous.

  “Yes. I mean, kind of. April and I,” she says, stressing Robbie’s alias, “have grown close, and those feelings of friendship morphed into something neither of us was expecting. We didn’t plan this, and we are navigating this new terrain the best way we know how. And here you are, making it about you and your feelings.”

  My whole body flinches with the gentle reprimand. Of course, she’s right. I am making it all about me, when in all honesty, it has nothing to do with me. And it’s up to them when they decide to tell anyone about their relationship—including me.

  “I’m sorry,” I mutter, my wet eyes dropping to my feet.

  “We’re sorry, too,” Lark says, her voice still soft as she pulls me forward and wraps her arms around me. “I love you, Rory.”

  “I love you, too,” Robbie says, hopping up to join our group hug.

  I laugh through my tears as I hug them back. “I love you guys so much.”

  My insides freeze as I hear footsteps outside. I pull away and jerk around to face the door, waiting to see who it is and whether or not they heard any of what we just said. Me being caught in here with them would be suspicious enough, but if the wrong person heard us declaring our mutual love for each other, it could be catastrophic…especially if whoever it is decides to run and tell Echo Oberon.

  “Don’t worry,” Robbie says. “I threw up a privacy shield when we came in here. If you hadn’t opened the door and walked through it, you wouldn’t have heard a thing.”